Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you very much, Senator Santo Ventura. Um, so um in 1989 um we passed a proposal.
• Thank you very much, Senator Santo >> Good.
• <00:52:24.000> Anoi healthcare act that Senator Anoi healthcare act that Senator Anoi resuscitated
• I know Senator that's of particular interest to your district.
• I know Senator that's of communities.

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Summary: The joint informational briefing by the Health and Human Services and Commerce and Consumer Protection committees focused on projected impacts to Hawaii consumers from federal changes affecting Med-QUEST and the ACA marketplace, including the loss of ACA premium tax credits, OBVA/HR1-related Medicaid changes, immigrant eligibility restrictions, and new Medicaid work/community engagement requirements. Committee members noted the meeting was being streamed live and emphasized the need to explain potential coverage losses affecting a significant share of the state population. Med-QUEST administrators reported current enrollment at 390,766, about 27% of Hawaii’s population, and broke that down into major groups including roughly 128,000 ACA expansion adults and about 52,000 parent/caretaker relatives. They said the expansion adult population would be most affected by the new federal requirements, which will shorten renewal periods from 12 months to 6 months and impose community engagement rules beginning in late 2026 and 2027. They described the work requirement as 80 hours per month of work, community service, work program participation, or half-time education, with an income-based pathway tied to $580 per month at the federal minimum wage; they also noted a long list of exemptions, but said many details are still awaiting federal guidance and rulemaking. The administrators said federal changes to immigrant eligibility would eliminate Medicaid coverage for certain noncitizen categories, with an estimated 1,200 to 2,400 people affected, though about 200 may remain covered through a state-funded program for otherwise eligible individuals. They also said marketplace subsidies would no longer be available for some immigrants under 100% of the federal poverty level starting January 1, 2026, with further restrictions expected in 2027. For Hawaii overall, they estimated the new Medicaid work and renewal rules could push an additional 19,000 to 38,000 people into uninsured status, with another estimated 6,000 at risk from the six-month renewal process alone. Members asked about how exemptions would be determined, especially for medically frail and seriously mentally ill individuals, and administrators said they were still awaiting detailed federal rules and were working on data-matching and verification processes to reduce coverage losses.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Senator<01:12:55.840> Marty >> Senator Marty >> Senator Marty >> Madam
• >> Senator<01:26:23.199> Coop. >> Senator Coop. >> Senator Coop.
• Senator Aki. comments. Senator Aki.
• Senator Eki, thank you.
• Senator Kubec. >> Thank you, Senator Marty. Senator Kubec.

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Transcript Highlights:

• So, very glad to have you, Senator.
• Good afternoon, Chair McKelvey and Senator Moriwaki.
• >> Thank you, Senators. >> Thank you, Senators.
• , papered by the House and the Senate, papered by the House and the Senate, right?
• >> words,<01:25:51.120> Senator? >> words, Senator? >> words, Senator?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Government Operations held an informational briefing with the State Procurement Office on its small business procurement program. SPO staff described the program’s purpose as expanding access to state contracting for small businesses, including veteran-, Native Hawaiian-, and women-owned firms, and said they are seeking to make the current five-year initiative permanent before it ends in June 2027. They reported outreach efforts, a new website and newsletter, statewide surveys, draft administrative rules, and a 38% increase in small business registrations in the HANS database. They also explained that the program is intended to support outreach, education, certification, compliance, and a statewide database to connect agencies with qualified small businesses. Committee members focused heavily on whether the program is producing measurable contract awards, not just registrations. The chair and senators questioned the definition of “small business,” noting that SPO currently relies on SBA standards in HANS and is considering a Hawaii-specific definition based on employees, revenue, and Hawaii residency. Members raised concerns that the data showed only a small number of registered businesses receiving awards and that the database does not yet track awards well enough to evaluate performance. SPO responded that the database has had funding gaps, that the position was only filled in February 2025, and that the agency is still building the system and rules needed to track outcomes accurately. A major theme was how to make the program more effective for very small or “micro” businesses and how to reduce the complexity of state procurement. Members discussed the difference between set-asides and bid preferences, with SPO explaining that set-asides are generally tied to RFPs and preferences to IFBs. The committee suggested that future rules should make participation easier, provide more training and hand-holding, and possibly create pathways for micro businesses or groups of small businesses to bid together. No votes or formal actions were taken; the briefing ended with the committee asking SPO to provide more performance data and clearer information on outreach results and database contents.

Transcript Highlights:

• It takes the Senate. It takes the House. It takes the governor to sign the bill. the budget.
• So we're on a path in the Senate. I believe we'll have support.
• I think it's Senate Bill 1025, but I may be correct on that number. to play.
• What Senate Bill 1025 said, you must put above the ballot language.
• Senator Johnson. Okay.

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Transcript Highlights:

• I'll just switch this one. >> Um, good afternoon, Senator.
• <00:27:59.120> and Senator Hironu and Senator Shots and Senator Hironu and Senator Shots and
• Thank you >> um, good afternoon, Senator.
• Good afternoon, Senator Rhodess and everyone.
• 24.320> and Good afternoon, Senator Rhodess and Good afternoon, Senator Rhodess and everyone.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing on the impact and legality of federal immigration enforcement efforts in Hawaii, with Chair Carl Rhodes framing it as the sixth and final interim briefing in a series on the rule of law and local effects of federal actions. He said the discussion would focus on due process concerns, questioning and detention of citizens and lawful immigrants, free speech issues, and pressure on state and local law enforcement, and noted the issues may be revisited in the 2026 regular session. There was no public testimony or committee vote; only invited speakers presented. Dr. Amy Agayani opened by arguing that immigrants are integral to Hawaii’s history, economy, and communities, and contrasted that with what she described as harmful narratives portraying immigrants as criminals. She cited figures that one in five Hawaii residents is foreign-born, that immigrants make up about 20% of the labor force and over 27% of entrepreneurs, and that roughly 40,000 people in Hawaii are undocumented, many of whom may have pathways to legal status but face language, information, and court barriers. She also said federal enforcement has expanded beyond undocumented immigrants to include citizens and lawful residents, and warned that attacks on birthright citizenship and visa categories could affect many families. Matina Mock of the legal clinic emphasized the complexity of immigration law and the severe lack of legal representation, noting a nationwide backlog of 11.3 million immigration-related applications and 3.4 million court cases, plus about 1,400 pending immigration cases in Honolulu with only two immigration judges. She said Hawaii has only six or seven nonprofit immigration legal service providers, and that represented clients are far more likely to obtain relief. Mock described a recent case involving a lawful student visa holder who was transferred among multiple federal facilities before being brought to Honolulu without clear notice, which she said illustrated due process violations. She also said ICE activity in Hawaii has sharply increased, with about 150 arrests from January to July 2025, a 380% increase over the same period in 2024, and that many detainees have no criminal record. Stephanie Haro Sevilla and another clinic fellow described 2025 enforcement as a major shift driven by a January executive order, the end of prior limits on arrests in sensitive locations, and arrest quotas they said require 3,000 arrests per day nationwide. They said this has led to arrests without warrants or probable cause, broader targeting of people with minor offenses or no criminal history, and the use of resources from other federal agencies and local law enforcement for civilian immigration enforcement. They also said the federal detention center in Honolulu is holding roughly 40 to 80 civilian detainees on any given day, often in conditions they characterized as prison-like, and warned that the current escalation could eventually affect lawful permanent residents and naturalized citizens. The speakers urged the public to support immigrant-rights advocates and local protective policies and funding measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• it over to Senator Pratt. it over to Senator Pratt.
• I represent Senate District 54, which is most of Scott County, and I'm the Republican lead on the Senate
• single seat in the house and the senate single seat in the house and the senate is<01:20:36.480>
• 24:58.080> are<01:24:58.239> you >> Senator, just real quick, are you >> Senator
• :28.880> Heather credit, especially to Senator Heather credit, especially to Senator Heather Gustoen

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Transcript Highlights:

• So, it being a little later than the appointed time, we'll get an open committee hearing for the Senate
• It's been moved by Senator Donovan, seconded by Senator Rebecca Perkins Boas to move into executive session
• Seconded by Senator Penton, seconded by Senator Perkins Woka.
• Senator Penton, seconded by Senator Senator Penton, seconded by Senator Perkins<00:13:05.279> Woka

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Transcript Highlights:

• > 6,<00:02:23.440> which I represent Senate District 6, which I represent Senate District
• I appreciate Senator Gray's willingness to listen to us along with Senator Lang and Senator Waters when
• Waters<00:05:07.280> uh with Senator Lang and Senator Waters uh with Senator Lang and Senator
• Senator Lang, Senator Long. [laughter] >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Senate Bill 301 is next up.

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Transcript Highlights:

• I opened the hearing here on the Senate Ways and Means Committee, and due to inclement weather, I'm going

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Amy Clolobashar. Senator Amy Clolobashar. >> All<00:04:26.479> right.
• I'm Senator Tina Smith.
• I am State Senator Lindsey Port. I represent Senate District 55 in the South Metro.
• You could do—but you know Senator McConnell is— He is Senator McConnell.
• >> he's Senator McConnell. >> he's Senator McConnell.

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Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for joining us, Senator<00:01:11.119> France. Senator France. Senator France.
• Senator France. you have questions? Senator France.
• >> Senator<00:34:46.399> Coopek. >> Senator Coopek. >> Senator Coopek.
• >> Senator<00:43:21.599> Dibble. >> Senator Dibble. >> Senator Dibble.
• <00:54:37.680> Nelson, Senator France said, “Colleague, Senator Utke, Senator Nelson, Senator

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Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Fukunaga followed by Senator Rhodess.
• Senator Fukunaga followed by Senator Rhodess.
• Senator Fukunaga followed by Senator Rhodess.
• Senator Fukunaga followed by Senator Rhodess.
• Senator Rhodess.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs held an informational briefing on violent crime clearance rates and what resources law enforcement and prosecutors need to improve them. Chair and members noted there would be no public testimony. The briefing was led by Marshall Clement of the Council of State Governments’ Justice Center, with later participation expected from state and county law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies. Clement argued that solving violent crime is a systemwide issue, not just a local police function, and said clearance rates have declined nationally over decades for homicide, rape, aggravated assault, and robbery. He said Hawaii’s reported data, limited to Oʻahu and Kauaʻi, shows overall violent crime rates are lower than the national average and have been relatively flat with a pandemic-era spike followed by declines in 2023 and 2024. He reported that Hawaii’s overall violent crime solve rate fell from about 52% in 2014 to about 40% in 2024, with 2024 rates of 50% for homicides, 48% for aggravated assaults, and 26% each for rapes and robberies. He also estimated unsolved cases over the past three years at about 17 homicides, 3,300 aggravated assaults, 1,200 rapes, and 1,700 robberies. Members asked about victim and witness support, staffing shortages, the Denver example, whether clearance rates include cases not prosecuted, and whether HPD’s size or structure might affect solve rates. Clement said support can include victim-witness programs and coordinators that help maintain cooperation and trust, especially where clearance rates are low. He said resources, training, technology, and detective caseloads matter, citing Boston, Denver, and Omaha as cities that improved solve rates through relatively low-cost operational changes; he highlighted Denver’s increase in non-fatal shooting clearance from 39% to 65% in seven months after dedicating more resources. He said he had no research showing that breaking up a large department would improve solve rates, and noted that clearance data can include exceptional clearances such as victim noncooperation, prosecutorial declination, or a suspect’s death. No votes or formal actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Community Services and the lieutenant governor for helping us craft this measure and, of course, our Senate
• And at this point I'm going to turn it over to the Senate. >> Thank you. >> First, I also want to thank
• We want to thank the governor, the lieutenant governor, Senate President, Speaker, and members of the
• , governor, senate president, speaker, members<00:02:21.840> of<00:02:21.920> the<00:02
• :02:23.840> for members of the house and senate uh for members of the house and senate uh for

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The hearing was an informational briefing on Act 310, which set aside $50 million for nonprofit and community organizations facing uncertainty, especially amid federal funding disruptions. Speakers thanked Aloha United Way for handling applications, as well as the governor, lieutenant governor, House and Senate leadership, and legislative staff for helping craft the measure and review more than 200 applications totaling over $150 million in requests. They noted the funding was intended as a safety net for organizations serving at-risk populations and those that had lost federal support, with priority given to healthcare, human services, education, the arts, and food distribution. The co-chair then presented the recommended award list, describing it as aimed at programs with broad reach and high impact. The list included a large number of nonprofits and community providers across the state, such as food banks, health centers, youth and family services, domestic violence and legal aid organizations, cultural and educational groups, and hospitals. Several of the larger awards mentioned included Hui Food Bank, Boys and Girls Club of the Big Island, West Hawaii Community Health Center, The Food Basket, and multiple Maui and Oahu service organizations. After the full list was read, the chair asked for discussion or objections. Hearing none, the committee adopted the list of nonprofit awards as read. The briefing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Senator<00:42:29.680> Inis, >> Senator Inis, >> Senator Inis, >> um
• >> Senator<00:43:27.359> Abs, >> Senator Abs, >> Senator Abs, >> thank
• Um Senator, Senator, Senator, >> my<00:46:39.119> gut<00:46:39.359> feeling<00:46
• >> Senator<00:57:57.440> second. >> Senator second. >> Senator second.
• Um, Senator Andis and Senator Ward and I have >> Oh, okay.

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Transcript Highlights:

• The oath will be taken by Senator-elect Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger from Senate District 47 and Senator-elect
• Ann Rest and Senator John Marty.
• Senator Anne Rest and Senator<00:04:21.919> John<00:04:22.240> Marty.
• <00:04:25.199> He's the president of the Senate. He's the president of the Senate.
• <00:08:01.199> I Minnesota Senate. Welcome to you both. I Minnesota Senate.

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Transcript Highlights:

• Uh<00:12:59.839> aloha<00:13:00.320> senators.
• Um mahalo for this Uh aloha senators.
• the shutdown discussions that the Senate the shutdown discussions that the Senate has<00:54:50.319
• >> Senator<01:35:18.719> Richardson. >> Senator Richardson.
• >> Senator Richardson.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Hawaii State Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection held an informational briefing on digital assets, blockchain, and related regulatory developments. Chair Jarrett Keohoko said the committee was focusing on national and state policy issues around digital assets, while leaving the separate issue of Bitcoin kiosks and fraud to the House Consumer Protection Committee, which had already noticed a similar briefing. No public testimony was taken; the session was for informational updates and member questions. Representatives from the Aptos Foundation, including JC Yun and Michael Cheng, gave a detailed presentation on blockchain basics and Aptos’s technology. They described blockchain as a tamper-resistant digital ledger, explained proof-of-work and proof-of-stake systems, and argued that proof-of-stake networks are faster, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly. They also emphasized smart contracts and potential uses beyond speculation, such as car titles, college transcripts, collectibles, digital IDs, real estate, and other tokenized assets. The presenters highlighted Aptos’s Hawaii connections and said the technology could help local residents and businesses participate in the digital economy. They cited adoption statistics, including billions of transactions on Aptos, tokenized money market funds from major financial firms, micro-lending applications, decentralized cloud infrastructure, and the rapid growth of stablecoins. They acknowledged concerns about scams and consumer protection, but argued that the answer is stronger regulation and education rather than avoiding the technology altogether.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hughes, Chairman Blanco, Senator Blanco, Senator Campbell, Senator Hall. Senator Hinojosa. Present.
• Thank you, Senator. At this time, I want to recognize Senator Hughes as being present.
• Thank you, Senator Cole. Of course, Senator Hall. Oh, thank you, Mr.
• Thank you, Senator Cole.
• And thank you, Senator, for pointing that out, Senator Campbell.

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Transcript Highlights:

• So with that, Senator Kim, any words?
• Thank you, Senator.
• Thank you, Senator. Um for the >> Okay. Thank you, Senator.
• Thank you, Senator.
• Uh Senator Kim. Yeah, >> Okay, understood. Uh Senator Kim.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: A joint informational briefing of the House and Senate higher education committees focused on how the University of Hawaiʻi athletics department plans to remain competitive in the new NIL era, including the effects of the House v. NCAA settlement, direct institutional payments, and the need to balance competitiveness with the university’s educational mission. Senators and committee members introduced themselves, and the briefing featured remarks from women’s basketball coach Laura Beeman, football coach Timmy Chang, and Athletic Director Matt Elliott. Coach Beeman said NIL has already affected recruiting and retention in women’s basketball, estimating the program has lost six to 10 student-athletes because it lacks the funding to keep comparable talent. She emphasized that the issue is not greed but retention, culture, and keeping student-athletes who value the university and community, while also using NIL as a way to teach financial literacy, privacy, and adult responsibilities. Coach Chang described similar pressures in football, including transfer portal volatility and competing offers from other programs, and gave examples of players whose personal and family circumstances made NIL support important for staying at Hawaiʻi. Athletic Director Elliott said the department’s vision is to create an outstanding student-athlete experience, recruit and retain elite athletes, compete at the top of the Mountain West, and strengthen community ties. He said the department wants to preserve the educational focus while adapting to a system in which student-athletes can share in revenue. Elliott explained that UH is seeking a $5 million annual NIL fund, is fundraising through the community and the “Boost the Bose” account, and is also pursuing individual NIL deals, corporate sponsorship-related deals, and licensing opportunities. In response to Senator Kim’s question, he said NIL compensation can come through two tracks: institutional payments within the department’s discretion and outside deals that must be reviewed for market value under the new reporting system. No votes or formal actions were taken; the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator<00:29:52.960> Man. Senator Man. Senator Man.
• Senator McQuade, Senator >> Any followup? Senator McQuade, Senator Man. Man. Man.
• Thank you, Senator Dibble. Senator McQuade.
• Senator >> Thank you, Senator Dibble. Senator Mcuade. Mcuade. Mcuade.
• Senator Mcuade. Dibble. Senator Mcuade.

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Transcript Highlights:

• talented team of two that runs the Senate's journaling office, which produces journals every day the Senate
• And having easy access to a record of senators' votes might just make yours a little easier next time
• If your senator is up for reelection, you can go back to any bill that might have been important to you
• <00:02:24.160> If<00:02:24.319> your<00:02:24.480> senators<00:02:24.879>
• If your senators up for [music] votes.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all